Paper feeding and controlling device for printing mechanisms



De@4 2, l 924. L51 7,248

A. H. PITNEY ET AL PAPER FEEDING AND GONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTINGMECHANISMS original Filed Apri-1 5, 1922 4 sheets-Sheet 2 A. H. PITNEYET AL PPER FEEDING AND GONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING MECHANISMSlOriginal Filed April 5, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet (5 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AJH.PITNEY ET Al.

PAPER FEEDING AND CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING MECHANISMS OriginalFiled April 5, 1922 B nucnfroz;

` and JACOB W. OCDEN, citizens of the United v Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

ARTHUR n. riTNEx AND JACCB w. CGDEN, or sTAmroRii, coNNECTIcuT,AssICNoRs,

BY NEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To PITNEYsBowEs POSTAGE METER COMPANY, or STAM-roRD, CQNNECTICUT, A CoRPoRATIoN or DELAWARE.

PAPER FEEDIN'G AND CONTRQLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTIN-'G MECHANISMS.

Original application iilc-d April 5, `1922, Seriell No. 549,734. Dividedand this application illed April 4,

1923. Serial Nb. 629,858.

To all whom it 'may concern:

- Be it known that we, ARTHUR H. PITNRY States,lresiding at Stamford, inthe county -of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements' in Pa er Feeding and Controlling Devicesfor rinting Mechanisms; and we hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specilication.

This application is a division of our application for printing and reistering mechanism Afiled April 5, 1922, er. No. 5et9,734L (Case No.6708). J

This invention isa novel improvement in printing mechanism, andcomprises a printer, an oscillating impression member adapted to co-actwith the printing surface and novelmeans coacting with said memberforfeeding a strip of paper past the printing point to receive impressionsfrom the printing die when-the machine is in condition for operation.

We Will explain the invention with. references to the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention,which,`fhowever, is capable of changes in form, construction andcombinations of partsrwithin the scope of the invention. Anunderstanding of the mechanism shown will enable others to adopt and usethe invention for various purposes within the scope of claims, which setforth the essentials of the invention `and the novel features ofconstruction and novel combina- A tions of parts for 4all ofwhich-protection y is desired.

In said drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a top plan view ofthe complete machine".

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailsectional view through `the paper feeding devices.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the printing memberoperating devices,

and the impression member. I

Fig. 5jis a detail' view of the devices for members;

Fig. 6 is a top plan, view of the impression member, and shows theprinting memcomprising an adjustable stamp carrier 100 containing amultiple of stamp carrying dies or members P an means whereby any one ofsuch members can bel operated when-if' properly positioned at theprinting point; (2) means for feeding a strip of paper past the printingpoint; 3) a meter 200 containing registering mec anism adapted to beoperated by the mechanism which operates the stamp and paper feedingdevices when the machine is in condition for operation,

and to re 'ster the money value of the stamps printed by the machine,when the -machine is ada ted for use as a postage t e meter, in accorance with the ,value of stamp printed, all as more fully explained inour aforesaid application.

The printing means and met/er are mounted upon a base plate 103 which isfastened to thetop 1 of a suitable hollow supporting member or trough 2which is mounted upon a suitable floor stand 3 and supports the'operative parts at about the height of an ordinar 'table in convenientposition for manip ation by the operator. The meter 200 is alsodetachably attached to this'plate 103 beside the printing mechanism asexvlplained in our aforesaid application. The

paper feeding devices are mounted upon the top 1 inpi'oper relation tothe printing devices; and the main operating mechanisms and the tripdevices controllingthe operations of the machine are referably arrangedbeneath the plate 1 within the member 2.

In the construction shown in the drawings the printing mechanismcomprises a plurality of printers or dies one for each denomination ofstamp used in the machine controlling the printing and impression'lmounted on a rotatable support. ln the example shown thereare 5 suchprinters (see with inking means 118 d suitably,

Fig. V1) which are adapted to print stamps of the amounts 1, 2, 3, 5 and10. These stamps are mounted on vertical spindles 112 j ournaled in arotatable member 100 which may be conveniently-formed of suitablecastings, as fully explained in our aforesaid application.

Each die or printed member is provided which may be of any suitablekind, but are preferably constructed as explained in our aforesaidapplication.y

To bring any printer P to printing position, thehead 10@ is turned untila clutch member 112"l of the desired printer registers with the clutchmember 108, as indicated in Fig. 3 and then it can be operated by powertransmittedl to such member 108, as-

described in our aforesaid application.

1- The impression devices.

located to produce impressions from the die P that is adjusted toprintin position is an yimpression member adapted to cooperate with theprinter in making impressions when 'paper or mail matter, etc.,

is assed there-between.-

s'shown this impression member comprises a sector 4 (Figs. 1,2, 4 and6), which isprovided with a recess in its outer face in*l which is*secured a preferably rubber faced block 4, whose rubber face 4.b ismoldedto conform to the circumference of the sector 4 and provides theresiliency necessary for producing a clear impression from the printingsurface on the printer.

Projecting rearwardly`from sector 4, is a shorter sector arm 4g, havingan arc shaped slot through which extends a friction member (describedlater) designed to prevent sector 4 moving too freely on the shaft 8.SecurelyY fastened tothe top and bottom of sector 4 (see Figs. 3

i l larly formed plates 4d, whose outer ends extend beyond thecircumference of the sector 4 and afford a support and bearing for thepaper feed clamp 5.

Loosely pivoted on the shaft 8' between the'pper and lower sections ofthe sector 4 is an=arm 14 (Figs. 3, 19 and 25) to the outer end of whichare fastened two Hat segmental plates 15, which aresituated one4 overand one under the sector 4, which can move freely between them. Adistance piece 16 is interposed between and fastened to the plates 15,and passes freely through 4. Each plate 15-has a curved tongue 15b onits inner face, which engages corresponding slots 4 in the top andbottom of the sector 4 and acts as guides 'for the travel of plates 15.Each edge projecting plate 15 has a lip 15, (Fig. 4) yon its outertoward each other, and the radius of the inside surface-of each lip 15athe impression member and 6), are two sinii-v 70 to and between twoparallel guide L plates is very slightly greater than the radius of thesector 4. A c amp 17 shaped like a pawl is pivoted to each plate 15 andpressed against the inner side of the lip 15 by a spring 17. The stops18 and 19 located on the shelf 70 limit the tra-vel of the arm 14.

' Sector 4 is loosely mounted on a vertical shaft 8 which is supportedby and has its bearing in a bracket 9 which is preferably adjustablyfastened to the table 1, to enable to be adjusted toward or from theprinter to regulate the impression pressure. The shaft 8 extends throughthe table 1 and on the lower end of shaft 8 is fastened a lever arm 10(see Fig. 6) and at the upper end of shaft 8 is also fastened by key andset screw a lever arm 6 which straddles the lsector 4 at the shaft. Atthe outer end of the arm 6, are pivoted two links 7 (Figs. 1, 3 and 6),one above and one below the sector 4 which links lie in the same planeas the plates 4d of the sector 4. The outer ends of these links 7, arepivoted to the heel of the clamp 5, in such a way lever 6 relative toclamp 5 plates 4d..

The arm 14, has a rearwardly extending sector 14a which is slottedlike.the arm 4g, and for thesame purposes, both of them engaging thesame friction member.

This friction member consists of a. sleeve 25 (Figs. 3 and 4) looselymounted on a stud 24 which is secured to the bracket 9. The sleeve 25 isianged near its bottom end, and the top end is threaded for the tensionadjustment nut 29,and that part of it below the flange is slotted toengage a pin'24", on stud 24 (Fig. 4) which prevents sleeve 25 fromturning on' the stud 24 when the nut 29 is turned. Both stud 24 and itssleeve 25 pass clear through the curved slots in the arms4g and 14a.Friction disks 26, of cork or leather, are placed on the sleeve 25, onebetween-thel flange 4on sleeve 25, and the arm 4g, one between the arm4g and 14 and one on top of arm 14n between it rand a steel disk 27. Aspring 28 is interposed between the disk 27 and the nut 29 and forcesthe friction disks to bear on the faces of both the arms 4g and 14,giving the desired friction. The nut 29 makes it possible to vary theamount of, resistance as required. The machine shown in au aforesaidapplicat-ion is adapted to a strip of suitable material, preferablygummed paper. As shown (Figs. 1 and 6), a stripof paper S is led from aroll 20 loosely mounted'on a stud 21 on cover plate that any motion ofthe sector `5 will cause the 22 mounted on the said cover plate, an thenled around the curved surface 0f the printer Sector 4 and between suchsurface and the print stamps upon to rock on its bearings in the guideflanges 15a on the plates 15. The stripS is wide enough to fill thespace between the plates '15 so that its edges are held by clamps 17against the inner face of the flanges 15a (Fig. 4) while the body of thestrip covers the face of the -platen 4b of the sector 4.

The plates 22 are formed with registering openings 22 (Figs. 7 and 8),through which the head 23a of a detector lever 23 could project if notprevented by the pressure of the strip of paper S. The strip of paperbetween the plates normally holds the member 23 in the position shown inFig. 1.

'lhis member 23 is attached to the upper end of rod 55. The head oflever 23 presses slightly against the strip S and acts as a dragr orbrake thereon which prevents the accumulation of slack in the stripbetween the plates 22 and the impression member or printing point.

0n the lower end of shaft 8 (Fig. 6) directly below the lever arm 10, isloosely pivoted a lever arm 11 to the outer end of which arm is attachedthe linkv 12, which at its other end engages with the race cam 13.(Figs. 4 and 6.) The cam revolving in the direction vof the arrowimparts a reciprocating motion to the arm 11. The arm 11 has aprojection 11a on its end, adapted to engage the arm 10 and communicatesits motion to it, when moved in the direction of the arrow. A spring 10ais connected to the arm 10 to effect its returnwith the arm 11 asdescribed in our aforesaid application. l

The cam 13 is suitably geared to the drive of the printer and revolvesin the same direction and at the same speed as the printer. The arms 10and 6 on the shaft 8,

being fast thereto, any movement ofarm 10 will be communicated throughshaft 8 to arm 6 as described in' our aforesaid application. The partsherein are numbered correspondingly to parts in our aforesaidapplication and we refer thereto for a full explanation and illustrationof parts vmentioned herein but not forming part of the pre-sentinvention. l

In printing a stamp the die makes one complete revolution and with itthe cam 13. The rollers 12c (Fig. 6) prevent the link 12 from movinglaterally, so that the pin 12"l and roller 12b on the link 12 riding inthe slot 13b of the revolving cam 13 forces link 12 to move in thedirection of the arrow pulling the arms 11, and 10 with it. Arm 6 inmoving pushes the links 7 and rocks the clamp 5 in towards thecircumference of the impression member or sector 4 which is preferablyslightly nicked to engage the clamp. Sector 4 because of the frictionapplied to the arm 4Z, remains at rest While/the aforesaid movements ofpart-s 6, 7 and 5 take place. The gummed paper strip S lying between theclamps and the surface of the sector 4 is caught and clamped tightlythere between.

Continuing its forward motion the arm 6, (through the pressure it exertson the clamp 5) carries both sector 4 and strip S with it, and the stripS slips forward past the clamps 17 and the die makes an imprint on thepart of the strip S which lies opposite the rubber cushion 4". Beforethe sector 4 has completed its forward travel the end of the curved slot4s therein engages the distance piece 16 of the plates 15 and carriesthem forward to the end of the stroke; at which time the arm 14 restsagainst the stop 18. After the printing surface of the printer P hascleared the sector 4, and while it is completing one revolution, theplates 5 and sector 4 are returned to first position.

At the beginning of the return movement the sector 4 is held stationaryby the friction member, and the arm 6 with the links 7 move back; theclamp 5 is first rocked out of engagement with the sector 4 and releasesits hold on the strip S, which is heldl by clamps 17. A hook 7a of theupper link 7 then engages a. detent in the plate 4'i and pulls saidplate and thev sector 4 back to the starting positions. ment, the otherend of slot 4s in sector 4 engages the distance piece 16 and returnstllle'plates 15 to their original first position a so. -f

On the return movement of the plates 15, the part of the strip S, whichis clamped to them by clamps 17, is moved back also. This backing up ofthe strip S shortens the blank space between the several impressions,and for this purpose the arm 14 and plates 15 are used. The contour ofthe cam slot 13b of cam 13 is such as to advance the impression orsector 4 slowly, to near the point at which it engages the die, and fromthat point till a little after theengagement ends, the surface speed ofthe impression member or sector 4 is equal to the surface speed of thedie. When this point is passed the remainder of the time of revolutionis used to return the parts to their original position, the travel ofthe roller 12b of link 12 in making the steepl descent in the cam slot13b is assisted by the pull of the spring 10a.

-The printing surface of the die P will not interfere with the clamp 5because it is On this return movesired. The fixed blade 31 is fastenedto a block rigidly secured to and between the plates 15. The movableblade 32 is hinged to block 30, and its upper end passes through a slotin plate 35, which is fastened on top of the upper plate 15. A back uide33 is also fastened to block 30, and a ront guide 34 is fastencdto plate35 to guide the tape between the .blades of the shears, the cuttingbeing effected by the operator moving the protruding end of the hingedblade 32 with his fingers.

As the last stamp printed on the strip lies'between the shears andsector 4, it is necessary to rock the sector 4 by hand without printinganother stamp, in order to feed the strip forward and to move the lastimprint to the outside of the shears. To accomplish this a knurled knob36 is securely fastened to the top end of the shaft 8 (Figs. 1, 2, 4)and by turning this knob all the strip feeding operations abovedescribed as havlng been performed automatically by the driving lactionof the cam 13, can be performed without moving the printer, andconsequently without putting an imprint on the strip. This is becausethe lever 10 is free to move (in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6)independently of the power derived from the positively driven lever 11iIn order to prevent an impression being made if. there is no stripbetween the printing die and impression member, the lever 23 which actsas a drag on the movements of the tape between, the guide plates 22, isconnected with suitabletripping mechanism below the table 1. The gummedstrip S- is usually fastened to the spool, and a rectangular hole Fig. 7is punched through the tape a proper distance from its inner end and`when this punched part of the strip passes between the plates 22 thehead of le-I ver 23 will be able to project through the' hole in thestrip, and in so doing, it actuates devices which automatically rendersthe printing inoperative as described` in o'ur aforesaid applicationwhenapplied to the machine shown therein. The hole inI the Atape should bemade long enough to allow the completion of the printing of a stamp on apreceding part of the strip in the event the lever 23 projects throughsuch hole at the beginning or during the course of a printing operation.

The printer may be of any suitable kind and operated by any suitablemeans to coactwith the impression number; and said member may beoperated by any suitable means to cooperate with theprinter, asdescribed.

In the drawings the printerr and impression member are illustrated inconnection with the machine shown in our aforesaid application. As showntherein the main v. shaft from which the motive power is transmitted toall operative parts of the machine is the shaft 39 indicated in Fig. 6which is driven, from a horizontal drive shaft 40 by bevel gears 41 and42. The shaft 39 through a suitable clutch 44 transmits motion to theshaft 104 from which motion is transmitted to the die spindle 112,impression sector P, and the meter. The trip mechanism indicated inFig.l 6 acts directly on the clutch, making or breaking its corr nectionwith the shaft 39 and, with the exception of the original impulse givenit to start a printing operation, it works automatically.

On the hub of the clutch 44 is a spur gear 71 which through` thesuitable gears drives the cam 13 as indicated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. Thetail of the clutch cage is adapted to be engaged by the arm 46n of thestop lever 46 and the clutch body has a cam flange 44c adapted to beengaged by .a roller on the arm 46b of lever 46 and re- -urged by aspring in the direction of the meter,so that its end when permitted willbe pushed into the body of the meter, but

its entry or non-entry thereinto is controlled by the shutter lever ofthe meter as described in our aforesaid application.

A lever 51 with two arms 51a and 51b is mounted to oscillate on a stud51B (Fig. 4)

`under the influence of a spring 51 and the link 51 ;v a stud 52limiting the movement of 51 under the pull of spring 51. A link 53transmits the motion of the trip lever arm 54 to the lever 51. Thespring 53n holds the hook end of the link 53 in contact with the triparm 54. vA lever'54l with two arms 54" and 54c can be oscillated on itsstud 54E1 under'the infiuence of the hand operated push button 64,located on an exposed part of the machine (Fig. 1) and is returned toplace bythe cam 13. A vertical spindle' 55 1s mounted in the machine asshown in (Figs. 6 and 8) and upon the 11pper end o spindle 55 issecurely fastened the drag 23 on the tape 20. Fig. 1. This spindleextends downwardthrough the table to a position above the level of thv lcam 13; at this point another lever 56 is fastened to oscillate with theupper lever 23. A rod 57 is pinned to the free end of the lever 56 andextends forward over cam 13,

But when no tape is between the plates 22,y

or what is the same thing, when the hole in the tape is in line with thehole in the plates 22 and allowing lever 28 to project through the hole,the rod 57 is pushed'forward by power of the spring 23a, which is strongenough to overcome the pressure of spring 53a, and pushes link ,53 out,so that its hool: cannot engage with the trip lever 54.

A lever 58, (Fig. 6) is normally in position to prevent the-oscillationof the stop lever 46, spring 58a furnishin the necessary motive power.58b is a llmiting stop for the travel of the lever 58. The lever 5lunder pressure of its spring 51e is always normally positioned so as toprevent the oscillation of stop leve-r 46.

A. guide 63 is provided for the free end of the link 53, and the camshaped end 53 engaging the guideV will be forced out of engagement withthe lever 54 at the proper time. If the spring 50a (not shown) tendingto oscillate the clutch stop lever 46, is prevented from acting the stop46 cannot move and the clutch can not be operated. All the aforesaidparts for actuating the printer and the impression member andcontrolling` the operation thereof are more fullyy described and shownin our aforesaid application similar parts therein being similarlynumbered; and as the `particular constructions of said parts (or of anyspe'- cilic actuating means for the printer and the impression member)is not claimed herein, further explanation and illustration thereof isunnecessary.

What we claim is:

1. In combination, a printer, a coacting impression means comprising anoscillating member having an impression surface adapted to coact withthe printing surface, a rocking lever, a paper clamp mounted on themember, means whereby on one motion of the said lever the clamp iscaused to engage the paper and the .member moved in a direction to feedthe paper, and on the reverse movement of the lever the clamp is causedto disengage the paper and the members moved back, substantially asdescribed.

2. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a paper guideloosely mounted below the member, a paper clamping device carried bysaid guide and means whereby the guide is given a limited movement withthe member near the ends of both strokes thereof.

3. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 1', frictionaldevices wherebyA the movable member is arrested until positivelyactuated by the movement of the leve 4. In combination with mechanism asset forth' in claim 1,a pair of .paper guide plates above and below themember, paper the paper and the sector moved in the direction to feedthe paper, and on the reverse movement of the lever the clamp is causedto first disengage the paper and then the, sector moved back, anddevices whereby the sector is arrested until actuated by the movement ofthe lever, substantially as described.

6. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 5, a guide plateloosely mounted below the sector, a paper clamp carried by said plate,and means whereby the plate is given a limited movement with the sectornear the ends of both strokes thereof, substantially as described.

7. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 5, segmentalplates pivoted above and below the sector, and having guide flanges ontheir outer peripheries, and paper clamping devices on said platesadapted to coact with the flanges of the plates to hold the paper. y

8. In combination a printer; a rock shaft, ai sector loosely pivoted onsaid shaft and adapted to coact with the printer, a lever fixed on saidshaft, a clamp pivotally mounted on the sector, links operativelyconnecting the said lever with said clamp whereby on one motion of thesaid lever the clamp is caused to first engage the paper and then thesector moved in the direction to feed the paper, and on the reversemovement of the ylever the cla-mp is caused to first disengage the paperand then the sector moved back, and devices whereby the movement of thesector is arrested until it is. actuated by the movement of the lever.

9. In mechanism as set forth in claim 8, a pair of paper guide platesloosely mounted on the shaft above and below the sector, paper clampingdevices carried by said plates and means whereby the plates are given alimited movement with the segment near the ends of both strokes thereof.

l0. lIn combination a printing member; paper feeding and impressionmeans cooperating therewith comprising a sector havingl an impressionsurface, and a rock shaft and connections for operating said impressionmeans, with means whereby said shaft may be positively rocked in onedirection to feed the paper during the printing operation; and meanswhereby the shaft 'may be manually rocked to move the sector in thedirection to feed the paper without producing an impression thereon.

l1. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 10, means fordirecting a strip of paper to andl between the 'impression member andprinter, means for detecting a hole or break in the paper in the stripand means controlled by the detector whereby printing is prevented whenthe hole or break is detected.

12. In combination a printing member; a paper feeding and impression`member cooperating therewith, comprising a sector having an impressionsurface, a rock shaft carrying said sector, means connected with thesector for clamping the papel', with mechanism whereby said shaft may bepositively rocked in one direction to feed the paper durino the'printingoperation, and means whereby the shaft may be manually rocked to movethe sector in the direction to feed the paper after a printing operationand when the printer is locked.

y 13. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 12, means fordirecting a strip of paper to and between the impression member andprinter, means for detecting a hole orbreak in the paper in the stripand means controlled by the detector whereby printing `is prevented whenthe hole or break is detected.

14. In combination a printing member; an impression member cooperatingtherewith, a clamp carried by said member, paper guiding plates on saidmember, an

- arm carrying said plates, a rock shaft, a rocking lever on said shaft,links operatively connecting sa-id lever with the member, and

lmeans for permitting the member to move a predetermined extent ineither direction and then cause the plates to move therewith a shortdistance. y

l5. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 14, meanswhereby said shaft may be positively rocked in one direction to feed thepaper during the printing operation, and means whereby the shaft may bemanually rocked to move the sector in the direction to feed the paperafter a printing operation and when the printer is locked.

' 16. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 14 means fordirecting a strip of paper to and between the impression member andprinter, means forodetecting a hole or break in the paper in the stripand means controlled by the detector whereby printing is prevented whenthe hole or break is detected. i

'17.. In combination -aprinting member;

and paper feeding and impression meansv cooperating therewith,comprising a sector having an impression surface, a cam member carriedby said sector, paper guiding plates above and below the sector, an armcarrying said plates, means connected with the plates for clamping thepaper, a rock shaft, a lever fixed on said shaft, links operativelyconnecting said lever with the sector and means for permitting thesector to move a predetermined extent in either direction and then causethe plates to move therewith a short` distance.

18. In combination withmechanism as set forth in claim 17 means wherebysaid shaft may be positively rocked in one direction to feed the paperduring the printing operation,I and means whereby the shaf t may bemanually rocked to move the sector in the direction to feed the paperafter a printing operation and when the printer is locked.

19. In mechanism of the character specified the combination of a printerand means for actuating the same; a sector having an impression surfaceadapted to cooperate with the printer, a paper clamp pivotally mountedon said sector adjacent the impression surface, a rock shaft, a leverattached to said shaft, links connecting said lever with the saidclampwhereby it is opened and closed by the lever and the sector is caused tomove with the lever after the clamp is opened or closed; an arm looselymounted on said shaft, a paper guide plate connected to said arm; apaper clamp carried by said guide plate adapted to prevent backwardmovement of the strip of paper when Athe main cla-mp is released, andmeans whereby the plates are caused to move with the segment only nearthe ends of its stroke.

20. In combination with a mechanism as set forth inclaim 19 means forfrictionally yieldingly retarding the movement of the sector and of thearms carrying the plates.

21. In mechanism as set forth in claim 19 the sector having an extensionprovided with a segmental slot and the arm having an extension providedwith a segmental slot, a member extending through the slots in the saidextension, and frictional devices on said member engaging the saidextension to retard the oscillatory movements of the scctor and-the saidplates, substantially as described.

22. In mechanism of the character speci-l fied the combination of aprinter and means for actuating the same; a sector having an impressionsurface adapted to cooperate,

with the printer, a paper clamp pivotally mounted onV said sectoradjacent its impression surface; a rock shaft, a lever attached to saidshaft, links connecting said lever with the clamp on the sector, an armloosely mounted on said shaft, plates connected by said arm above andbelow the sector, paper clamps carried by said plates adapted to preventbackward movementof the strip of paper when the main clamp is released;and a member connecting said lll plates and extending through a slot inthe sector whereby the plates are caused'to move with the sector onlynear the. ends of its strokes. y

23. In combination with a mechanism as set forth in claim 22 means forfrictionally yieldingly retarding the movements vof the sector and ofthe arm carrying the plates. f 24. In mechanism as set forth in claim22, the sector having an extension provided with a segmental slot andthe arm having an extension provided with a segmental slot, and a memberextending through the slots in the said extensions and fiictionallyengaging the same to retard the oscillatory movements of the sector andthe said plates, substantially as described.

25. In a machine of the character 'specied; .aj plurality of printersfor printing stamps of different,V denominations; 'means whereby anyprinter may be brought tothe printing point, an impression memberadjacent the printing pointand means for taking an limpression trom theprinter at the prmting point, with means for directing a strip of paperto and between the impression member and printer, means for detecting ahole or break in the paper strip, and means controlled by the detectorwhereby printing is prevented when a hole or break is detected.

26.. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 1,`a .detectorengaging the paper and normally held in effective posiset forth in claim5, means for rendering the impression means ineEective; a detectoradapted to engage the paper and be held thereby in ineffective position,and means connected with. the detector for yieldingly holding it incontact with the paper and whereby the detector is operated when itlinds a hole or break in the paper and releases the mechanism wherebyfurther printing is revented.

28. n combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 8, means foryrendering the impression means ineffective, means for guiding the strip,comprising a guide plate provided with an opening, a detector adjacentthe plate having a tooth adapted to engage the strip and be held therebyout of the opening in the plate, and means connected with the detectorfor yieldingly holding it in contact with the ystrip and whereby thedetector is operated when it finds. a hole or break in the strip to tripthe mechanism whereby further printin is prevented.

In testimony that we c aim the foregoing as our own, we allix oursignatures.

ARTHUR I-I. PITNEY. JACOB W. OGDEN.

